It will be [a shrine], but not for art lovers. Or for anyone who is easily embarrassed. Perhaps not even for Diana’s sincerest believers, for the statue group’s emotive symbolism is undermined by its aesthetic awfulness. In style it breathes the kind of repression and formality which Harry has claimed to reject. Are we sure Charles had no hand here? It looks like his insipid artistic taste. Flat, cautious realism softened by a vague attempt to be intimate make this a spiritless and characterless hunk of nonsense.

(Jonathan Jones, “An awkward, lifeless shrine – the Diana statue is a spiritless hunk of nonsense,” theguardian.com, 7-1-21)

Goodness, these are hard words for a scarcely unveiled sculpture! What good is served by a Grub Street art wonk’s raring-up on his haughty haunches over a new instance of public iconography, preempting an unfiltered look-see by the reader?

Save the berserk opinion-signaling for your Twitter feed, Mr. Jones. Illuminate, inform and guide. Or else, stand down, show some respect for the Guardian reader, and let us have an unobstructed view of your topic.

(c) 2021 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved